Retractable point writing instrument



May 8, 19 2 K. w. SPILLMAN RETRACTABLE POINT WRITING INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 22, 1953 IN V EN TOR.

Jaw/very W SP/LLMAN,

ATTOQNEY- May 8, 1962 I w. SPILLMAN 3,033,167

RETRACTABLE POINT WRITING INSTRUMENT Original Filed Dec. 22, 1953 2 Sheets She b 2 if .9. [A .10.

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III/I United States Patent 3,033,167 RETRACTABLE POINT WRITING INSTRUMENT Kenneth W. Spillman, Whittier, Califi, assignor, by nesne assignments, to The Parker Pen Company, Janesvllle, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Continuation ofabandoned application Ser. No. 399,706, Dec. 22, 1953. This application Jan. 17, 1955, Ser. No. 481,997 2 Claims. (Cl. 120-42413) .This invention relates generally to a retractable writing instrument, and particularly to such a device in which a clip carried near the upper end of the instrument is adapted to retain the instrument in position when not in use by gripping a marginal portion of a pocket or other support.

It is an object of this, invention to provide an improved pen in which the upper end of the clip not only serves as the means for releasing the retracting mechanism of the pen, but also opens the lower end of the clip to permit it to grasp a support, such as an edge of a pocket, against the pen barrel. The user learns to depress the upper portion of the clip when inserting the writing instrument in his pocket, and, since such movement automatically withdraws the writing tip within the barrel, staining of the fabric of a pocket or the like is avoided.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel interlock between the clip and the movable tip structure. One feature of the interlock is to ensure that the pen tip cannot bemoved into extended or writing position when the clip is flexed by the pocket fabric or support placed between the clip and the pen barrel. In this manner it is ensured that the pen, when supported in the pocket, cannot inadvertently be moved to operating position to stain the pocket. The other feature of the interlock is to ensure that the clip cannot be moved away from the barrel to a position in which it may grasp the cage of a pocket or other support as long as the writing tip is in extended or writing position.

These features are achieved by providing a supplemental movable member in the upper portion of the clip which is operative to release the retracting mechanism by digital pressure. Further inward movement is availed of to fiex'the clip away from the pen for inser-[ tion into a pocket or the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel mechanism for a retractable point pen, in which the clip itself serves to define the limit of the movement of the instrument to retracted position, obviating provisions for this purpose on the body of the pen proper. It is another object of this invention to provide compact and inexpensive means within the barrel for removably mounting the clip on the pen barrel. These features in combination make it possible to provide a simple and attractive pen body, which may be a tubular structure, provided only with a lateral slot for accommodating the clip.

'A further object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character having two distinct depressible elements governing, respectively, retraction of the writing tip into the barrel, and opening of the clip to grip a fabric or other support, and both conveniently operable in sequence by a common manipulation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pen structure of this character that can be easily assembled and disassembled.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a structure in which the process of disassembling is greatly faciliated. To initiate disassembly, a narrow blade is inserted through the pocket clip, freeing the spring detent entirely therefrom. The movable mechanism can then be removed through the open end of the instrument body abandoned.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of a ball point pen embodying the present invention, the longitudinally retractable parts being shown in extended or writing position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the device shown in FIG. 1, with the clip button partially depressed by digital pressure,

just prior to the release of the retractable parts of the instrument;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of.

the instrument of FIG. 1, with the parts shown in their upper or retracted position, and with the lower end of,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on line VI-VI of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on line VII-VII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a retaining membermounted within the barrel to which the clip of the writing instrument is fastened;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the instrument, the retractable parts; being in writing position;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. parts in retracted position;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the instrument, and showing parts in the final stage of assembly or initial stage of disassembly;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the instrument body or barrel, showing the manner in which the clip is placed thereon; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line XIIIXIII of FIG. 12.

The external instrument body 10 comprises two outersections: a lower barrel 12 and an upper body 16'. These parts are detachably secured together by the aid of a tubular liner 14, press-fitted into the lower end of the body 16. The liner 14 has a downwardly extending shank threadedly cooperating with the upper end of the lower barrel section 12. In the present instance, the body 16 is of metal, providing a pleasing decorative appearance, and the barrel 12 is of molded plastic. The barrel 12 carries a tip insert 18 (FIG. 1), guidingly receiving the lower end of a ball point writing cartridge 21 that extends longitudinally of the instrument sections 12 and 16. The tip insert 18 has a reduced opening 19 receiving the ball-carrying tip 20 of the cartridge 21. The ball 22 is rotatably mounted in the end of the tip 2%.

An actuator structure 24 for operating the cartridge 21 is shown to best advantage in FIG. 11. This structure has a bore 27 (FIG. 3), frictionally receiving the 9, but showing these 3 upper end of the cartridge 21. A shoulder 32 formed near the upper end of the cartridge 21 engages a downwardly extending shoulder 30 formed in the actuator bore 27. The reduced extension 31 of the cartridge 21 extends partially into the reduced upper end 29 of the bore 27 defined by the shoulder 30.

The actuator 24 may be inserted into the body 16 through its upper opening 23 formed by a rolled edge. A coil spring 90 surrounding the cartridge 21 is interposed between the actuator 24 and the upper body section 16, to urge the actuator 24 and the cartridge 21 upwardly, corresponding to the retracted position thereof. The coil spring 90 has opposite ends respectively engaging an upwardly extending shoulder 91 formed on the cap liner 14, and the end annular surface 28 of the actuator 24 (FIG. 1).

The actuator 24 has an enlarged tip 25 provided with a decorative cap 25 permanently aflixed thereto that has a cylindrical periphery corresponding substantially in sizev to the size of the upper opening 23 of the pen body 16. The enlarged tip 25 and decorative cap 25' serve as a means whereby the actuator may be manually depressed to advance the cartridge 21 to writing position.

The parts are so proportioned that the tip 25 projects only slightly above the opening, 23 when the cartridge is in writing position, and so proportioned that the lower edge of the tip 25 is within the opening 23 when the cartridge 21 is fully retracted (FIGS. 1 and 3).

In order to hold the actuator 24 in writing position against the force of the compression spring 90, a spring detent 70 is provided. The detent 70 comprises a leaf spring or tongue 71 extending from an integrally formed split band 72 (FIGS. 3 and 11). The detent 70 is mounted by frictional engagement of the band 72 in a shallow cylindrical groove 73 of the actuator 24 near the lower end thereof. The detent tongue 71 extends up: wardly along the actuator 24 and has an unfiexed configuration shown in FIG. 11 so that its upper free end 74 projects outwardly away from the actuator 24.

Assembly and disassembly of the detent is facilitated by a reduced neck portion 26 ofthe actuator beneath the tip 25. For assembly, the split band 72 is easily caused to encompass the neck 26, whereupon the band 72 can be moved downwardly into position within the groove 73. In this downward movement, the band 72 is expanded by the lower tapered portion 100 (FIGS 9- and 10) immediately above groove 73.

The detent 70 cooperates with abutmentsformed on a pocket clip 40 to determine boththe retracted POSI! tion of the actuator as well as the advanced position thereof. The clip 40 has an integral shell-like upper portion 41 (FIGS. 9 to 12 inclusive) having an open side facing inwardly of the barrel. This portion 41 covers a generally rectangular lateral opening 43 in the body 16. The upper shell portion 41 has an inturned upper wall 75 projecting inwardly of the body 16, and in the path of upward movement of the end 74 of the detent 70. The free end of detent 74 is bent inwardly to provide a sufficient bearing surface engageable with the clip wall 75 (FIG. 3). Engagement between the upper end of the detent 74 and this inturned wall 75 (FIGS. 3 and 10) serves to determine the retracted position of the actuator. The coil spring 90 urging the actuator 24 upwardly urges detent end 74 against the inturned wall 75 f the shell portion 41- of the clip.

In order to bring the actuator 24 and detent 70v into the assembled position shown in FIG. from the PDSi', tion shown in FIG. 11, the actuator 24 is moved down-, wardly into the barrel of the pen, with the detent tongue 71 aligned with the clip 40. The inner edge of the clip wall 75 causes the detent 70 to flex inwardly until its upper end 74 passes over the wall. Simple telescoping movement of the parts with appropriate alignment between thev detent 74 and the clip 40 brings the parts into final assembled position. as shown in FIG. 10.

t 4 The detent has outwardly extending ears 79 and 80 formed on inwardly directed flanges 77 and 78 of the tongue 71 near the end 74 (FIGS. 4, 9 and 10). The arcuate resilience of the detent urges the ears 79 and 80 into engagement respectively with inner edges 46 and 47 of inwardly extending side walls 46 and 47 of clip 40 (FIGS. 4', 10). The flanges 77 and 78 extend inwardly along the side walls 46 and 4 7, and locate the detent end 714 beneath the clip wall 75. The clip edges 46' and 47' near their upper ends incline inwardly of the axis of the instrument from the wall and adjoin intermediate downwardly extending shoulders 81. Upon downward movement of the actuator 24 from the position shown in FIG. 10, the detent end 74 flexes inwardly, following the inwardly sloping edges 46' and 47'. Upon sutilcient downward movement of the actuator 24, corresponding to extended position of the cartridge 21, the etent 70 snaps outwardly under the influence of its arcuate flexure to bring the ears 79 and 80 beneath the intermediate shoulders 81. The coil spring urges the ears 79 and 80 of the detent into engagement with the shoulder 81.

In order to release the detent ears 79 and 80 from the shoulders 81 to permit the actuator to retract under the influence of the coil spring 90, a button 64 is provided that is integrally formed at the end of the leaf spring 62. The button 64 projects through a port or opening 65 (FIG. 9) in the clip 40 that is located opposite the shoulders 81, and normally does not interfere with movement of the detent into latching relationship beneath the shoulders 81. The button 64 may be moved by digital pressure (FIG. 2) to engage the detent tongue 71 adjacent the end 74 and cause the ears 79 and 80 to clear the shoulder 81. Thereupon, the actuator 24 moves to the position shown in FIG. 10.

The leaf spring 62 mounting the button 64 extends within and along the shank 45 of the clip 40, its lower end being secured within the gripping foot 42 of the clip 40 (FIG. 3). The resilience of the leaf spring 62 causes the button 64 normally to be positioned in aninoperative outward position, as shown in FIG. 9. Engagement of the fiat side of the leaf spring 62 with the shank '45 of the clip determines the limited outward position of the button 64.

The clip 40 is rigid, the side walls 46 and 47 extending, although with diminishing width, all the way to the gripping foot 42. The upper wider portions of the walls 46 and 47 project into the body opening 43, and the lower portions of the walls 46 and 47 beneathv the opening 43 are quite slender. The side walls 46 and 47 of the clip40 have projections 46a and 47a (FIGS. 11 and 13) stepped on their lower edges, projecting inward far enough to provide an index guide for detent tongue 71 which slidably works between these projections, making it impossible to forcibly or inadvertently twist spring detent 70 out of index with clip 40.

'In order to hold the clip in place, a retaining member 50 is provided that is press-fitted into the body 16 above the coupling insert or liner '14 (FIGS. :1, 3 4 and 8). The lower annular edge of the retaining member 50 abuts the upper annular edge of the liner 1 4.

The retaining member 50 has a tongue 52 (FIG. 8) that is aligned (FIG. 13) with the body opening 43, the

tongue 52 projecting upwardly about a third of the length of the body opening 43. The base of the tongue 52 coincides with the lower edge 43 of the body opening 43.

The clip 40 is restrained from outward movement by' with a support or pocket, when digital pressure is applied on the upper end of clip 40.

A leaf spring 55, extending longitudinally of the shank of the clip 40 and the button spring 62, and having an end secured within the gripping foot 42, has a free upper end 56 engaging the upper edge 57 of the tongue 52 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 9). The reaction between the leaf spring 55 and the tongue 52 urges the clip in a clockwise direction about the tabs 48 and 49, causing gripping foot 42 to engage the body section 14.

The lower portions of the side walls 46 and 47 form a trough receiving the button spring 62 and the clip biasing spring 55, both of the springs being seated in the socket formed by the gripping foot 42 (FIG. 3). Tabs 48' and 49' (FIG. 5), formed on the side walls 46 and 47 of the clip, hold the springs 62 and 55 in place. I

-The clip 40 may easily be brought into assembled relationship with the body 16 by inserting the upper end ofthe clip 40 through the body opening 43 with the actuator 24 removed, as shown in the phantom line position in FIG. 12. The clip is positioned so that the tabs 48 and 49 are located above and inwardly of the tongue 52. The opening 43 at the top of the body 16 provides suitable clearance for the upper end of the clip 40 during this manipulation. The clip 40 is then pulled downwardly. During this motion, the upper end of the clip 40 engages within the upper edge of the body opening 43, both the tongue 52 and leaf spring 55 yielding until the clip Wall 75 clears the upper edge of the body opening 43. Thereupon, the clip snaps into the position shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10.

Disassembly of the clip 40 can correspondingly be easily accomplished. For this purpose, the gripping foot '42 is pulled outwardly away from the body until the upper wall 75 of the clip clears the upper edge of the body opening 43. Upward movement of the clip causes disengagement of the tabs 48 and 49 from the tongue 52. The clip 40 can then be bodily removed through the body opening 43.

During use, the gripping foot 42 of the clip is moved away from the body by digital pressure exerted on the upper end of the clip 40. Digital pressure for this purpose is transferred from the button 64 to the clip proper as a result of a single manipulation during which the button is first depressed to cause the actuator to retract. The pressure is transferred when the button 64 becomes flush with the clip 40, as shown in FIG. 2. The digital pressure on the upper end of the clip 40 serves to move the clip 40 to the position shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 10.

Provisions are made to ensure that the gripping end 42 of the clip cannot be moved away from the body 16 unless the actuator 24 carrying the writing instrumentality is in advanced position. This ensures that the pen may not remain in retracted position when the writing instrument is placed in the pocket of the user. Accordingly, accidental staining of the pocket lining or the like is avoided. To complement this function, provisions are also made to ensure that when the gripping foot 42 is oriented away from the body 16, as when the instrument is in position in the pocket of the user, the actuator 24 may not be accidentally depressed.

To accomplish these complementary functions, an interlock is provided between the clip 40 and the actuato 24. For this purpose, the upper wall 75 of the clip 40 has an arcuate configuration (FIG. 7) corresponding to the configuration of the decorative cap 25 or" the actuator tip 25. The decorative cap 25' passes downwardly along the arcuate edge of the clip wall 75 when the clip is in posi tion and when the actuator 24 is moved downwardly. In the advanced position of the actuator 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the ornamental cap 25 doglocks the clip, the cap 25' being in the path of inward movement of the clip 40. There being only very slight clearance between the arcuate edge of the wall 75 and the cylindrical periphery of the cap 25', the clip 40 is prevented from mov-' ing in a direction to position the gripping foot away from the body section 16.

When the actuator 24 is in retracted position, the lower edge of the decorative cap 25 as well as the lower edge of the enlarged tip 25 are located above the clip Wall 75, and the reduced neck 26 is positioned opposite the arcuate edge of theclip wall 75. Accordingly, when the actuator 24 is in retracted position, the reduced neck 26 provides suitable clearance for inward movement of the clip 40 sufficient to move the foot 42 outwardly. Accordingly, the instrument must be retracted before it can be placed upon a pocket. i

In the position shown in FIG. 3, the gripping foot 42 is held away from the body section 16 by a support or the fabric of a pocket. In this position, the upper wall 75 of the clip 40 is inwardly positioned and doglocks the actuator, the wall 75 being in the path of downward movement of the actuator tip 25. Accordingly, when theinstrument is in place on the pocket of the user, the upper wall 75 of the clip serves to prevent the actuator 24 from being moved to operative position. The instrument must first be removed from the support or the pocket to allow the clip wall 75 to move outwardly before the actuator tip 25 can be sufiiciently depressed to cause engagement of the detent ears 79 and 80 beneath the clip shoulders 81.

The pen is easily assembled. The clip 40 is positioned on the upper body section 16, as described in connection with FIGS. 12 and 13. The coil spring may be dropped through the upper body opening 23, and the actuator 24, together with the detent 70, may be inserted through the ilglager body opening 23 as described in connection with Disassembly may easily be accomplished by insertion of the narrow blade (FIG. 10) between the releasing button 64 and the edge of the clip opening 65, through which it projects. The blade is advanced and, by engagement with the detent tongue 71, causes the detent 70 to flex until the detent end 74 clears the edge of the upper clip wall 75. The coil spring 90 causes the actuator 24, together With the detent 7 0, to move upwardly. The decorative cap 25', permanently affixed to the tip 25 of the actuator 24, may then be grasped and the actuator 24 and the detent 70 carried thereby may be removed through the opening 23.

The sections 12 and 16 may be detached one from the other in order for the user to remove or replace the cartridge 21.

The inventor claims:

1. In a writing instrument: a hollow body having an elongate lateral opening; a tabular member carried in the body and having a tongue aligned with the body opening and projecting therealong from one end of said opening, said tongue having a free end terminating short of the other end of the body opening; an elongate detachable clip having a gripping member at one end; said clip having a tab engaging the inner surface of said tongue for holding said clip in place; the clip being pivotally movable about an edge of the tab; and a leaf spring carried by the clip and engaging said tongue for urging the clip in one angular direction limited by engagement of said gripping member with said body; the other end of said clip in said limited position being located partally within the body opening; said other end of said clip, upon sufiicient movement of the clip in the other angular direction, clearing the edge at said other end of said body opening for detachment of said clip from said tongue upon subsequent upward movement of said clip, the space between the free end of the tongue and the other end of the body opening permitting outward passage of the clip therebetween after detachment of the clip from the tongue.

2. In a writing instrument of the type having a writing element housed within a barrel for sliding movement between rearwardly retracted and forwardly projected positions and a plunger with a spring latching lever carried 7 thereon for sliding movement with said writing element Within said barrel and with said spring latching lever biased laterally outward for releasably latching said writing element at said projected position by engagement with abutment means carried by said barrel, a pocket clip for said writing instrument mounted on said bar-rel, and latch release means housed by said pocket clip exteriorly of said barrel, said barrel having a slot therein extending at least as far rearwardly as the latching portion of said latching lever at said projected position, said pocket clip being mounted on said barrel and reaching rearwardly over said slot and having a clearance slot therethrough at least in partial alignment with said barrel slot, said latch release means having an operating knob portion extending laterally outward through said clearance slot and a rear end abutment lug portion extending laterally inward through said barrel opening, said latch release means being mounted for lateral movement through said pocket clip opening in an extent permitting releasable latching of said latching lever at said projected position while providing References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,296,900 Zimdars Mar. 11, 1919 1,350,412 La France Aug. 14, 1920 1,808,045 Krause June 2, 1931 1,931,138 Stafi Oct. 13, 1933 2,274,393 Alexander Feb. 24, 1942 2,470,421 Woody Y May 17, 1949 2,541,669 Rosa Feb. 13, 1951 2,583,142 Frentzel Ian. 22, 1952' 2,809,610 Clary et a1 Oct. 15, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 962,732 France Dec. 1 2, 1949 641,595 Great Britain Aug; 16, 1950 979,112 \France Dec. 6, 1950 286.888 Switzerland Mar. 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,033, 167 May 8, 1962 Kenneth W. Spillman It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 55, for "advanced" read retracted line 56, for "retracted" read advanced column 6, line 51, for "tabular" read tubular line 63 for artall read partially p y Signed and sealed this 11th day of September 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w SWI DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

